New Quest Motor & Other Stuff

[Ltvscout]

I neglected to get a photo of it as I planned to, but Matt Costabile brought one of Quest's 18mm "D" motor casings to NARCON for me to look at. It's very cool looking. The casing is much lighter than an empty 18mm paper casing. It is made out of some funky polymer that has more of a metal characteristic. It even sounds like metal when you tap on it. I was told it is stronger than Aerotech's single use casings for the same size, and WAY cheaper to mass produce.

In other Quest news, I asked Matt if they are going to come out with new kits for these new motors. I was told they are and are working with designs from Matt Steele and Scott Branche.

[Phred]

I am very excited about this motor. I am hoping that this new casing will provide enough of a price break to inspire the production of motors other than the D. Like maybe a 13mm B??

I wonder if Quest will be able to automate the propellant loading process? That should be a price break as well, and really would be a revolution in ap motor production.

Phred

[Initiator001]

I am very excited about this motor. I am hoping that this new casing will provide enough of a price break to inspire the production of motors other than the D. Like maybe a 13mm B??

I wonder if Quest will be able to automate the propellant loading process? That should be a price break as well, and really would be a revolution in ap motor production.

Phred

Composite motors smaller than 18mm diameter are difficult to cast propellant for using current methods by hobby motor manufacturers. In addition, the nozzle throat would be very small and difficult to get an igniter to fit through.

As for automated propellant making/loading. I know Gary Rosenfield looked into it when I was with AeroTech. The cost of the equipment was very expensive (Millions $$) plus the machine had to be kept running 24/7. If it stopped, the equipment would need to be completely torn down and cleaned. This took about a week.

When the AeroTech D21 was being made, the most expensive components of the motors was the cost of labor and packaging. The propellant was fairly inexpensive to make. The molded casings saved time but were not made in a cost-effective manner.

Bob

[Phred]

Initiator001 wrote:

"When the AeroTech D21 was being made, the most expensive components of the motors was the cost of labor and packaging. The propellant was fairly inexpensive to make. "

That was my understanding as well.

I am left wondering how this will all come together. Labor is the most obvious place to cut, using mechanization, but the cost you mention below is also a huge factor.....

Hmmm...